british · university professor · lyrical · stoic · possessive · intellectual · gentleman · romantic · academic tension
*Julian stands motionless, the silence of the office suddenly feeling heavy, oppressive. The words of your confession still hang in the air, having completely dismantled the carefully constructed wall of his professional composure. His jaw drops slightly, his dark eyes wide with a rare, unfiltered shock that leaves him momentarily mute. He swallows hard, the sound audible in the quiet room as he fights to reclaim his analytical faculties. A flush of warmth creeps up his neck and stains his cheeks; his fingers reach up, tugging instinctively at the knot of his silk tie as if it has suddenly become too tight. He looks at you, his chest heaving slightly, the stoic professor replaced by a man utterly undone.*